Africa 100 Appeal gets first gold sponsor

Chemical company BASF became the first ‘gold’ sponsor of the Africa 100 Appeal’s Kilimanjaro Challenge, bringing a “welcome boost”.

The company will be sponsoring a group of eight UK farmers who joined forces in June and aim to climb Kilimanjaro to raise money for the charity.

Regional cereal value chain manager for BASF Andy Jones explained that he helped to secure the sponsorship and said: “I was thrilled when BASF confirmed the gold sponsor donation. It means we are another step closer to helping more farmers in east Africa to become more independent.”

Jones also highlighted the importance the charity could have on ending hunger, as well as growing farming for families suffering from lack of food. Also, Jones added, the support BASF is providing will help close the gap between African farmers and the industries working to help improve nutrition around the world through sustainable farming.

Chief executive for Farm Africa Nigel Harris spoke of his delight that the chemical company was the first gold sponsor for the trip and said: “Every donation, no matter how big or small, will help us to make a real difference to African farmers.

“We look forward to watching the progress of the team as they prepare for this challenge and we wish them well as they take on this endeavour. Thanks to the generous support of BASF, Farm Africa will be able to help take more rural farmers out of hunger, helping them to build a better future for themselves and their families,” added Harris.

The team hopes to climb more than 19,000ft to conquer the world’s tallest freestanding mountain and will leave for the challenge on 25 September this year.